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Christmas Eve Caroling on Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Once upon a time the Island family dressed up in formal holiday attire. We sat in the formal dining room at the Collier Inn. A wassail eggnog lubricated our voices. Our conductor led us with a piano player keeping us on tune. Each of the Twelve days of Christmas was acted out with panache. This year the Inn is closed. We sat outside on the patio wearing comfortable clothes to stay warm. An open bar, but no eggnog. New conductors led us in an old-fashioned night of a cappella caroling. Two brave folks conducted us in the Twelve Days. We ended our night with Silent Night. It wasn’t showtime. It was old-fashioned neighborhood family time. Just what we needed.

Santa Visits Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – It was a lazy Christmas Eve afternoon on Useppa and not a creature was stirring except… the kids on Useppa and their families. They all met at the Fire House and got on the wagon for a hayride down the beach to meet Santa. The Firetruck and a parade of golfcarts were close behind. It was a cold day but not cold for someone from the North Pole. Santa couldn’t wait to get off the boat and walk down the dock to meet his young friends. While the reindeer waited on ancient Pine Island Calusa Indian mounds, Santa listened to children, enjoyed some cake and ice cream, had his picture taken with everyone, and then….. back to work. Thank you, Santa, for coming. Thank you to the Useppa Fire Department for making it happen. Thank you to Useppa Island Club for the treats.

Useppa Island Annual Employee Christmas Party – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – Music playing, delicious food, good company, and thoughtful words by Sanae and Donald Beckstead describe Useppa’s 2023 Employee Christmas Party. Pete Frazetta is Employee of the Year. Reina Escobar is Employee of the 3rd Quarter and Dean Stern is Employee of the 4th Quarter. Raffle tickets made some folks $50.00 and $100.00 richer. Other gifts rewarded years of employment. A new camera was given to Island Picture Taker UseppaGin. Gifts were given by Employees to Sanae and Donald thanking them for their years of support and kindness. It was a celebration of Useppa behind the scenes.

Tree Lighting – Pictures and Thoughts by UseppaGin – The annual Beach Tree Lighting had to be postponed this year because of last week’s bad storm. But on Useppa we never give up. A small hardy group of Islanders gathered decorating the tree on the patio overlooking the beach.
Fellowship and friendship in the Florida cold.

Useppa Employees: Gifts to Useppa – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Useppa Employees are everywhere both seen and unseen working to take care of the island we love. Some of these pictures show familiar faces today and the same ones just a “few” years ago. They haven’t changed in their looks or dedication to Useppa. Other pictures are some of today’s staff. The Employee Christmas Party is December 22nd. If you haven’t already done so, please support the Annual Useppa Employee Christmas Fund. It makes sure that everyone working here is given a gift. It is a tactile reminder to each man and woman that Members and Homeowners care about everything they do, that we care about them. We are all one family.

Useppa Kids Thanksgiving Izaak Walton Tournament – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Standing on one foot, eight eager anglers took the Izaak Walton Kids Fishermen’s Oath promising to release unharmed all fish and to help their fellow fishermen when needed. Twenty-three fish were reeled in, measured, and set free. Trenton caught the 1st Fish. Britton reeled five in for “The Most Caught.” Henry caught “The Ugliest.” Grouper, Snapper, a Flounder, and more were caught in Useppa Island’s 2023 Kids’ Thanksgiving Tournament. Instead of prizes, the awards for everyone were ice cream certificates from the Joseffa Boutique. Thanks to Captain Ken Horney, Jasmyn Al-Shimary, Sam Smith, and Kyle Corey for making it all happen.

Thanksgiving on Useppa, Thanksgiving for Family – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Island families gathered for Thanksgiving at the Tarpon and in each other’s homes. One family has been coming to Useppa for over thirty years. Once little boys catching fish are now grown men still fishing. A new member came with his family. He grew up coming here. When he recently joined, he was given his family’s original number from the 1970’s. Boats stayed at the newly electrified Marina. The hospitality and welcome given to all by the men and women working here could not have been better. The island is still recovering from hurricane destruction, but we are and always will be a family. We share the gift of Useppa.

Loved Ones – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Scenes of the island we love and pictures of people we loved. Memories of our time on Useppa. An album of gratitude and remembrance. Recollections of people and place, a thank you for our time together on Useppa.

Halloween Prize Winners and Prize Capture – Thoughts and Pictures by UseppaGin – Call it coincidence or Halloween. Legendary island pirate Jose Gaspar was captured at the Bocilla Marina. Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy John Armato was there after returning a lost purse to a grateful Useppa resident. A boat pulled in, its captain recognized and handcuffed. Gaspar who has illuded capture for over 100 years was arrested. That night at the Tarpon Bar justice and Useppa were celebrated in a spontaneous Halloween gathering of neighbors and friends. Cheers to all, and a special thanks to Deputy Armato for finding a purse in the sand and tracking down its owner.

Useppa Emergency Response Training – Thoughts by Useppa Fire Department’s Marc Mascarelli and Pictures by UseppaGin, Doug and Taylor Ryan – The waters of Lee County oftentimes require a multi-agency approach to many types of operations. This also proves true for island-based structure fires, brushfires, and any incident type which requires a force multiplier; this is why the Marine Emergency Response Team (MERT) was established and works well for the Southwest Florida area. MERT assets met at Useppa Marina last week for an Island walk-through discussing and identifying Useppa Fire Department capability and needed MERT response in the event of a structure fire. Similar responses were discussed about nearby islands including Cabbage Key, Upper Captiva, Mondongo, Burgess, and Cayo Costa. All islands in Lee County which have residential structures and need multi-asset MERT response. Lee Med Flight helicopter landed and demonstrated their transport capabilities and answered questions from the group. In the afternoon a drill was conducted using all Fire and Law Enforcement assets. The drill was a mock scenario of a mass casualty incident which involved getting treatment and transport of several patients to the Marina and off the island. Participants included Lee County EMS, Lee Flight, Lee County Dispatch, Lee County Sheriff, Charlotte County Sheriff, BOCA Grande Fire Department, Useppa Fire, Pine Island Fire, Iona McGregor Fire, Cape Coral Police, Cape Coral FD, US Coast Guard, and students from FSW Florida South Western College. Thank you to all who participated.